India initiated border violations: FO
Foreign Office says Pakistan is in the midst of counter terrorism operation and cannot afford distraction on LoC
PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
Refuting allegations of initiating border violence, the Foreign Office on Thursday said Pakistan is countering terrorism and cannot afford distraction on the Line of Control or working boundary, according to Radio Pakistan.
During her weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said, “Pakistan is in the midst of a crucial counter terrorism operation, Zarb-e-Azb, and it cannot afford distraction or hostility on the Line of Control and the working boundary.”
“Hence, any effort to create the perception that Pakistan has initiated the violations on the border is totally baseless,” she added.
The statement comes as tensions escalated along the working boundary where border guards from both sides have been engaged in crossfire since last week. At least seven Pakistanis, including two Rangers personnel, have been killed in Indian shelling.
Earlier, referring to the ongoing tensions along the working boundary, the spokesperson said: “the people of Pakistan see the escalation of tension by India on the Line of Control and working boundary, through continuous unprovoked firing and targeting of civilians, as an attempt to distract our armed forces from its valiant mission against all terrorists.”
The escalating tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbours comes just days before US Secretary of State John Kerry is schedule to travel to both Islamabad and New Delhi.
His visit is likely to be overshadowed by the ongoing friction between Pakistan and India. US President Barrack Obama is also set to travel to New Delhi later this month.
Refuting allegations of initiating border violence, the Foreign Office on Thursday said Pakistan is countering terrorism and cannot afford distraction on the Line of Control or working boundary, according to Radio Pakistan.
During her weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said, “Pakistan is in the midst of a crucial counter terrorism operation, Zarb-e-Azb, and it cannot afford distraction or hostility on the Line of Control and the working boundary.”
“Hence, any effort to create the perception that Pakistan has initiated the violations on the border is totally baseless,” she added.
The statement comes as tensions escalated along the working boundary where border guards from both sides have been engaged in crossfire since last week. At least seven Pakistanis, including two Rangers personnel, have been killed in Indian shelling.
Earlier, referring to the ongoing tensions along the working boundary, the spokesperson said: “the people of Pakistan see the escalation of tension by India on the Line of Control and working boundary, through continuous unprovoked firing and targeting of civilians, as an attempt to distract our armed forces from its valiant mission against all terrorists.”
The escalating tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbours comes just days before US Secretary of State John Kerry is schedule to travel to both Islamabad and New Delhi.
His visit is likely to be overshadowed by the ongoing friction between Pakistan and India. US President Barrack Obama is also set to travel to New Delhi later this month.